ESSEX COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER: FEBRUARY 2010 PROGRAMS

CREATIVE PAPERMAKING

Wednesdays, February 3 and 17

4 to 5pm

For children ages 7 to 12. Make beautiful one-of-a-kind sheets of paper enhanced with decorative touches. Experiment with varied textural effects and produce a paper version of an original object. Advance registration and payment is required. Call the Center at 973.228.8776. Fee: $5 plus $3 materials fee per child per session

CLOSE UP AND MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY

Wednesday, February 3

7pm to 9pm

Brien Szabo, a seasonal guest speaker for the Nature Photography Club, will conduct a workshop on close up and macro photography. He is a professional photographer who is well known for his New Jersey nature photography. Brien teaches workshops throughout the Northeast and says that he likes to make the most of the region he lives in. Fee: $7 per adult; Free for ECNP members

NJ AUDUBON SOCIETY FAMILY PROGRAM - OWLS OF ESSEX

Saturday, February 6

10:30 am to 12 Noon

Investigate where these majestic birds fit into the food web by dissecting owl pellets. We will also discover how owls build their nests and communicate and make “owl pellet” candy to take home! YUM! Space is limited. Advance registration is required; please call NJ Audubon Society. Fee: $5 for NJAS members, $7 for non-members

WILL WE SACRIFICE OUR WATER FOR GAS? Natural Gas Drilling in the Delaware River Watershed and how it will impact New Jersey residents’ water supply.

Tuesday, February 9

7pm to 9pm

Tracy Carluccio, Deputy Director of Delaware Riverkeeper Network, will address the looming impacts of natural gas drilling in the Delaware River Watershed and the harmful environmental effects it may have on downstream populations such as New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Delaware. You will also learn what you can do to help undo the Halliburton Loophole, which exempts gas drilling from the Safe Drinking Water Act and other federal environmental laws. This program is sponsored by the West Essex Park Conservancy and the Essex Sierra Club Singles Group. Fee: $7 per adult; Free for WEPC/Sierra Club members

BUG CLUB

Tuesday, February 9

4 to 5pm

For children ages 6 to 10. The Bug Club is devoted to young people who want to explore the wonders of insects through field walks, games, stories and crafts. This club meets

year-round. Space is limited. Advance registration and payment is required. Call the Center at 973.228.8776. Fee: $5 per child per session. (Additional material fees may apply)

‘PLARN’ WEAVING – MAKE A TOTE

Tuesday, February 9

4pm to 5:30pm

For ages 12 through adult. Learn to crochet using “plarn”—yarn made from plastic grocery bags. Learn basic crochet stitches and start to crochet a plarn tote, a great reusable and recyclable tote bag perfect to take to the farmers market, beach, or school. Instructions and crochet hook will be supplied for students to take home and complete the project. Students will make the plarn, learn the stitches, create a sampler, and begin their project in class. Advance registration is required; call 973.228.8776. Fee: $20 per person

GREEN THUMB CLUB-WINTER GARDENING

Wednesday, February 10

4 to 5pm

For children ages 5 to 10. Come in from the cold and learn how plants can be started indoors during the winter. We'll propagate new plants, start a dish garden and experiment with seeds in three different types of soil. You will be growing plants of your own right in the middle of winter! Advance registration and payment required. Call the Center at 973.228.8776. Fee: $5 plus $2 materials fee per child per session

4-H PET CLUB

Wednesdays, February 10

4 to 5pm

For children grades 4th through 6th Do you love animals and want to learn how to take care of them? If so, then the pet club is for you. We will learn all about pets and small animals. Non-pet owners welcome! Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advance registration is required; please call 4-H for more information. Essex County 4-H Youth Development Program (4-H) – Suzanne Mazur, Roseland Office 973.228.3785 or Phillipa Myers, Newark Office 973.353.1338

ESSEX COUNTY EAGLE ROCK RESERVATION HIKE

Thursday, February 11

9am to 11am

Join New Jersey Audubon Society on this Thursday morning hike. Enjoy the beautiful views of Manhattan, while discovering the birds of open spaces and woodlands. Meet at the Essex County Eagle Rock September 11th Memorial parking lot in West Orange. Program space is limited, so please call 973.226.6082 or email kelly.wenzel@njaudubon.org to register. Two-hour field trips are FREE! *Three-hour or special trips are $6 for NJAS members and $8 for non-members.

4-H ENVIRONMENTAL KIDS CLUB

Thursday, February 11

4 to 5pm

For children grades 2nd through 5th Our environment is filled with things, big and small, that surprise and help us. Join us once a month to see how much fun it is to learn about our world! Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advance registration is required; please call 4-H for more information. Essex County 4-H Youth Development Program (4-H) – Suzanne Mazur, Roseland Office 973.228.3785 or Phillipa Myers, Newark Office 973.353.1338

VALENTINE’S PAPERMAKING

Thursday, February 11

7pm to 8:30pm

Create a pretty pink recycled gift card for your valentine from colored construction paper scraps and other items. Use your imagination to design and create this handcrafted surprise. Advance registration is required; call 973.228.8776. Fee: $5 per child; $7 per adult; $9 per family

HATFIELD SWAMP HIKE

Saturday, February 13

8am to 11am

Join New Jersey Audubon Society on this Saturday morning hike. We will spend the morning searching for birds and other animals of winter. Meet at the parking lot of King’s Grocery in West Caldwell, near the corner of Bloomfield and Passaic Avenues. Program space is limited, so please call 973.226.6082 or email kelly.wenzel@njaudubon.org to register. Two-hour field trips are FREE! *Three-hour or special trips are $6 for NJAS members and $8 for non-members.

BUILD A BIRD HOUSE!

Saturday, February 13

10:30am to 12 Noon

Join us during National Nest Box Week to build a home that encourages breeding birds and other wildlife to take residence. Putting out your bird house now creates a good chance of having a nesting pair of songbirds in your garden by spring. Advance registration is required; call 973.228.8776. Fee: $5 per child; $7 per adult; $9 per family

ROCK-N-ROLL GEOLOGY CLUB

Tuesday, February 16

From 4 to 5pm

For children ages 7 to 12. Revel in the fascinating formations of Earth’s geologic creations. Hands-on club activities include exploring local geology, discovering what’s in local soil, and identifying rocks and minerals. Space is limited. Advance registration and payment is required. Call the Center at 973.228.8776. Fee: $5 per child per session. (Additional material fees may apply)

4-H STAMP CLUB

Thursday, February 18

4 to 5pm

For children grades 4th through 7th What do Pocahontas, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rachel Carson have in common? They have all been honored on US Postal Stamps. Stamps have been moving mail around since the middle of the 19th century! Start a collection today. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Advance registration is required; please call 4-H for more information. Essex County 4-H Youth Development Program (4-H) – Suzanne Mazur, Roseland Office 973.228.3785 or Phillipa Myers, Newark Office 973.353.1338

THE WILD SIDE OF THE RAHWAY

Thursday, February 18

7pm t

The ‘Wilds’ of the Rahway by RRA’s Executive Director Dennis Miranda offers a unique presentation of the natural areas and remote corners that harbor the richest biodiversity of the watershed. Enjoy an informational and inspirational perspective of an urban and sometimes unnoticed river in your backyard. FREE

HOT CHOCOLATE HIKE

Saturday, February 20

10:30am to 12 Noon OR 12:30pm to 2pm

Join us for a fun-filled winter Saturday as we hike around the Environmental Center forest, sip hot cocoa, and enjoy a winter campfire. Dress warmly. Advance registration is required; call 973.228.8776. Fee: $5 per child; $7 per adult; $9 per family

COLD FRAME GARDENING

Saturday February 20

9am to 12 Noon

Join Rutgers Cooperative Extension Staff and Rutgers Master Gardeners of Essex County to learn about Cold Frame Gardening. Cold frames are great for stretching the garden’s growing season at both ends. It’s not too late to plan for a fall harvest! Participants will assist in the construction of a demonstration cold frame at the Essex County Environmental Center and leave with the ability to construct a functioning cold frame at home. We will discuss the various materials that can be used to construct a cold frame, including salvaged storm windows. You will also learn which vegetables and herbs are appropriate for growing in a cold frame. Advance registration is required; call 973.228.8776. Fee: $7 per adult

NEW JERSEY WOODTURNERS

Monday, February 22

7pm to 10pm

Learn to turn with the NJ Woodturners Association! Discover the wonders of creating art from found pieces of wood, wood species, and turning tips and techniques. Topics vary month to month; call the Environmental Center for details. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. Fee: $7 per adult; Free for NJWA members

GREEN KIDS ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB

Tuesday, February 23

4 to 5pm

For children ages 7 to 14. Discover all areas of environmental science with hands-on fun and service projects! This club meets all year-round. Space is limited. Advance registration and payment is required. Call the Center at 973.228.8776. Fee: $5 per child per session. (Additional material fees may apply)

GEESEPEACE LEADERSHIP SEMINAR

Wednesday, February 24: Two Sessions: 9am to 11am OR 7pm to 9pm

The County of Essex is part of a larger regional effort of State, County, and local governments in the tri state areas of NY, NJ, and CT working to humanely manage its Canada Geese populations. This leadership seminar, offered by David Feld founder of GeesePeace, is targeted to address these issues with municipal and school district program managers, borough/township trustees, board members, councils, as well as home-owner associations, golf course managers and property managers. If there is a water body on your property or in your community, it is likely geese will be nesting and molting there. Be a responsible leader and join us in this comprehensive effort. Free

HATFIELD SWAMP HIKE

Thursday, February 25

9am to 11am

Join New Jersey Audubon Society on this Thursday morning hike. This area can be a magical place for the birds and other animals of winter. Meet at the parking lot of King’s Grocery in West Caldwell, near the corner of Bloomfield and Passaic Avenues. Program space is limited, so please call 973.226.6082 or email kelly.wenzel@njaudubon.org to register. Two-hour field trips are FREE! *Three-hour or special trips are $6 for NJAS members and $8 for non-members.

3-DAY SHORT COURSE ON BEEKEEPING

Saturday, February 27; Saturday March 6; Field Day TBA

9am to 4pm

The Essex County Beekeepers Society will present this short course appropriate for new beekeepers as well as those who need a refresher. We take you through a full year of beekeeping, including everything you need to know from purchasing and assembling equipment to harvesting, extracting, and bottling honey. Basics of disease and mite management and control also are covered. Scholarships for this course are available to young people ages 12-22. Visit www.njbeekeepers.org for more details. Meet in Garibaldi Hall. For more information and to register, contact Joe Treimel at 973.865.9043 or sailbeejoe@aol.com. Fee: $90 per person; includes ECBS/NJBA membership, continental breakfast, and afternoon snack

FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY ON EXHIBIT

A SEARCH FOR SOLACE: MIXED MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT

Fine art photographer Alan Schwab presents a solo show at the Essex County Environmental Center extended through the month of February. Alan explores Essex County’s historic park system, as well as the New Jersey park system and other natural oases within our suburban/urban landscape. By his diverse and varied use of technique, such as digital, film, infrared, and pinhole, Alan’s body of work exemplifies photography as fine art. Alan has spent the last 30-plus years as an artisan of many disciplines—painting, drawing, photography, and woodworking. Original prints for sale.